Tag Archives: LSU

Matt Farrell driving to the basket in their 86-81 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

July has come and gone, and for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, that means the 2017-18 season is one step closer.

The Irish have had an eventful summer so far, from multiple commitments, to transfers, to schedule releases. Summer work outs are coming to a close and soon, the players will be sent home until their return this fall to start a new school year.

The 2017 Maui Invitational will run from November 20th-22nd, 2017. (Photo by MGoBlue.com).

The 2017 Maui Invitational Bracket has been set, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, along with other powerhouse programs like the Wichita State Shockers, the Michigan Wolverines and the California Bears will headline the tournament set to commence on November 20th 2017.

Notre Dame’s first game in Maui will be against the host Chaminade Silverswords, with a matchup with either the LSU Tigers or Michigan to follow, depending on a first round win or loss.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish released their 2017-18 non-conference schedule Thursday night, with a trip to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans as a part of the ACC/Big 10 Challenge as the highlight.

Apart from what I am expecting to be another tough ACC conference schedule, Notre Dame will take a variety of past and new opponents in their non-conference slot.

He may be a graduate transfer who can lead his new team to the NCAA Tournament, but he is also a symbol for Dayton, Ohio.

“I play with passion. I play with a chip,” said Alstork, a Dayton native and former star at Wright State. “You can tell when someone is from where I’m from, how they play and the passion they play with.”

Alstork is one of the most talented scorers left on the transfer market; he averaged 19 points per game and scored 27-plus points on seven separate occasions last season.

Last week he narrowed his list to four teams, including Illinois, LSU, Pittsburgh and South Carolina as potential suitors.

Throughout the month, Alstork has been frequently posting on social media, chronicling his experiences and campus visits. The six-foot, five-inch scoring guard has an altruistic reason for his tweets and Snapchat videos.

“I wanted to take my people from Dayton, Ohio, who have supported me from day one. I wanted them to be with me in the process,” he explained. “They have been with me for this long. I don’t want them to feel like that I am going to change up on them or that I am not going to continue to be the same person I am. I’m never going to change who I am.”

Alstork did not want to transfer from Wright State. As a hometown product playing at a local university, the benefits were abundant. However, being a part of the Raiders became toxic.

“During the season, I went through a time with myself that a lot of people don’t get out of. I was frustrated with some of the things — some of the things at Wright State wasn’t normal,” Alstork recalled. “I actually didn’t want to leave, to be honest. I wanted to stick it out and try to become an NBA player from Wright State.

“It’s not easy leaving your family and friends,” he continued. “They can be looking forward to watching me play two times a weekend. It’s a place to come and be happy and smile and enjoy life.”

Two values of importance to Alstork is faith and family. As the son of a preacher, a relationship with God was forged early on — one that has not weakened with age.

“Faith and prayer is a huge part of me being who I am and continuing to be in God and continuing to grow a relationship in God,” he said. “I know God leads my life.”

For many student-athletes, athletics and academics dominate. Add being a transfer with a multitude of power conference options and a disconnection from core values can occur.

This is not the case with Alstork.

“I know exactly the reason why I am on this earth,” said the 2016-17 Horizon League first team selection. “It has nothing to do with me and it has all to do with God.”

Six visits and fourteen flights later and the memories of a lifetime have been supplied to Alstork and his family.

“The most memorable moment for me was being able to have my mother and brother there the whole time,” said Alstork. “I’m just glad I’m able that God has allowed me to be in this position in my life. I never would have thought that this would happen again. The opportunity that I am having is straight from God.”

Three years after receiving a release from Ball State, Mark Alstork will call one final school home. Another decision must be made; but, with it, perspective and advice will be given to aspiring basketball players in Dayton.

“I’ve had some people hitting me up,” said the Thurgood Marshall High School alumnus. “Older kids who say, ‘You motivate me. You aspire me. Your work ethic speaks for itself. And no matter who gets you, you’re not going to change.’”

Alstork confirmed he will tweet to the college basketball world his decision tomorrow, exclusively on Twitter.

With his decision, one major domino for next season will fall and one team will be closer to a trip to the NCAA Tournament

Aaron Epps (21) scored 17 points and pulled down 9 rebounds in LSU’s 91-69 win over Wofford to open the 2016-17 season.

Despite establishing an energetic substitution pace and leading at halftime, the Wofford Terriers could not hold on against the LSU Tigers on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 91-69 decision in the season opener.

The Terriers opened the game with a flash of déjà-vu, when for the second consecutive year a freshman made a statement debut against an SEC front. In 2015-16, star shooting guard Fletcher Magee began his collegiate career with a surprising 22 points off the bench against Missouri, a sign of strong play to come.